Copy and paste this worksheet as a separate page linked to the Homepage of your portfolio. DO NOT type your answers on THIS document because it needs to be used by other students. The title of your page which replies to these questions is linked to your portfolio and should begin with the first initials of your first and last name. (In my case, the link to this worksheet from my portfolio page might read frrealwomen.)
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than Friday, September 8). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0. You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of the play NOT THE FILM of Real Women Have Curves. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
- In the beginning of the play, it is Fall time in Los Angeles on a Monday morning at about 7:00 am. Two women, a mother (Carmen) and a daughter (Ana) are introduced in an old and slightly broken down building that is used as a sewing shop. Later, three more women are introduced: Estela (Ana's sister), Pancha, and Rosali. The dramatic situation that comes out as the play does is that Estela is still an illegal immigrant.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken in the play and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play?
- There could be many events seen as potential intrusions in this play, however the largest and most sensible intrusion is when Estella admits her situation of not being a legal citizen to her family and fellow co-workers. This raises many complications for the group and ultimately brings them closer together as they spend so much time with one another working towards a common goal of helping Estella with her complicated set of issues.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
- This is the day that Ana tells her story, in other words, the story is told through her writing as a means for her to convey what she is thinking about the situation of frustration around her.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
- The dramatic question throughout the play was whether or not the dressed would be completed on time. At the end of the play, several questions could be posed regarding the open ending: Is Estella able to obtain citizenship (and is this pertinent to her business)? Does Carmen ever grow proud of both of her children? Can Ana become the writer that she longs to be and is she able to go to college?
5. Use Ana, the central character, to answer the questions. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what Ana wants (NOTE: In Real Women Ana's wants seem to be in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles.
- Because the play is told from Ana's point of view, the audience gets much insight on her. She wants to be a writer but many things get in her way: poverty (me v society), her mother making her work (me v indiviual(s)), waiting a year for financial aid to go through before even thinking of the possibility of college (me v fate), her fight against the disbelief of other people (me v society), and a "family obligation."(me v myself.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Real Women Have Curves.
- The most theatrical moment in my opinion throughout the entire play is that in which Ana leads the women to say no to society's twisted vision of them, and to realize that they do not exist to please men or anyone other than themselves. This is very important because it attempts to help the issue of body image among the women and inspire them.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Real Women. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
- The obvious image that connects with the title of the play is the repetition of the dresses being made in "mannequin size" which shows the issues that the woman (primarily Rosali, though) have with their bodies. They all view themselves in some way as less than perfect because of their body shape and weights. Bilingualism is another constant image throughout this play that can be viewed. Ana is the only character who does not combine or speak much Spanish throughout the play which shows that she is set apart from the others, in a different generation. A third image is Ana's diary, which is very important to her and gives the audience insight on how important writing and her future are to her.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Real Women.
- Some of the main themes observed are illegal immigration, self-image and body-image, and conflict between generations. Two smaller themes that are also involved would be women's rights and struggles in society and friendship.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Real Women? Is family redefined in this play? If so, how and why?
- A different type of family is observed in this play, as there no men or other siblings in the family and outside of the blood relations, a certain bond between the group of women is formed through understanding that could represent a close family. They all have conflict but continue to work through it and ultimately provide for and protect each other as a family should.
Copy and paste this worksheet as a separate page linked to the Homepage of your portfolio. DO NOT type your answers on THIS document because it needs to be used by other students. The title of your page which replies to these questions is linked to your portfolio and should begin with the first initials of your first and last name. (In my case, the link to this worksheet from my portfolio page might read frrealwomen.)
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than Friday, September 8). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0.
You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of the play NOT THE FILM of Real Women Have Curves. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
- In the beginning of the play, it is Fall time in Los Angeles on a Monday morning at about 7:00 am. Two women, a mother (Carmen) and a daughter (Ana) are introduced in an old and slightly broken down building that is used as a sewing shop. Later, three more women are introduced: Estela (Ana's sister), Pancha, and Rosali. The dramatic situation that comes out as the play does is that Estela is still an illegal immigrant.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken in the play and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play?
- There could be many events seen as potential intrusions in this play, however the largest and most sensible intrusion is when Estella admits her situation of not being a legal citizen to her family and fellow co-workers. This raises many complications for the group and ultimately brings them closer together as they spend so much time with one another working towards a common goal of helping Estella with her complicated set of issues.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
- This is the day that Ana tells her story, in other words, the story is told through her writing as a means for her to convey what she is thinking about the situation of frustration around her.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
- The dramatic question throughout the play was whether or not the dressed would be completed on time. At the end of the play, several questions could be posed regarding the open ending: Is Estella able to obtain citizenship (and is this pertinent to her business)? Does Carmen ever grow proud of both of her children? Can Ana become the writer that she longs to be and is she able to go to college?
5. Use Ana, the central character, to answer the questions. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what Ana wants (NOTE: In Real Women Ana's wants seem to be in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles.
- Because the play is told from Ana's point of view, the audience gets much insight on her. She wants to be a writer but many things get in her way: poverty (me v society), her mother making her work (me v indiviual(s)), waiting a year for financial aid to go through before even thinking of the possibility of college (me v fate), her fight against the disbelief of other people (me v society), and a "family obligation."(me v myself.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Real Women Have Curves.
- The most theatrical moment in my opinion throughout the entire play is that in which Ana leads the women to say no to society's twisted vision of them, and to realize that they do not exist to please men or anyone other than themselves. This is very important because it attempts to help the issue of body image among the women and inspire them.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Real Women. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
- The obvious image that connects with the title of the play is the repetition of the dresses being made in "mannequin size" which shows the issues that the woman (primarily Rosali, though) have with their bodies. They all view themselves in some way as less than perfect because of their body shape and weights. Bilingualism is another constant image throughout this play that can be viewed. Ana is the only character who does not combine or speak much Spanish throughout the play which shows that she is set apart from the others, in a different generation. A third image is Ana's diary, which is very important to her and gives the audience insight on how important writing and her future are to her.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Real Women.
- Some of the main themes observed are illegal immigration, self-image and body-image, and conflict between generations. Two smaller themes that are also involved would be women's rights and struggles in society and friendship.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Real Women? Is family redefined in this play? If so, how and why?
- A different type of family is observed in this play, as there no men or other siblings in the family and outside of the blood relations, a certain bond between the group of women is formed through understanding that could represent a close family. They all have conflict but continue to work through it and ultimately provide for and protect each other as a family should.